The Oakland Raiders announced Monday night that head coach Dennis Allen has been fired and the team will decide upon an interim replacement on Tuesday. Allen was the Raiders' seventh coach in the past 12 years, during which the team has only had one winning season.
Allen compiled an 8-28 record including an 0-4 start to the 2014 season with losses to the New York Jets, Houston Texans, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins. Oakland has been outscored 103-51 in those four losses and haven't showed any improvement from last year's 4-12 campaign, which likely prompted Mark Davis' decision to dismiss Allen and start back at square one.
Perhaps the problems began in the offseason when the team let a number of valuable free agents find new teams, including tackle Jared Veldheer, defensive ends Lamarr Houston and Jason Hunter, cornerbacks Mike Jenkins and Tracy Porter, defensive tackle Vance Walker, and running back Rashad Jennings. The team traded for Matt Schaub when it was clear the Texans were moving on from the veteran quarterback, but decided to start rookie Derek Carr in the regular season.
According to NFL.com's Ian Rapaport, Allen was fired over the phone late Monday night. The status of general manager Reggie McKenzie is unknown, but based on the team's performance this year (and the obvious unsuccessful free agent signings in the offseason), he could be on his way out as well. It was speculated in the offseason that McKenzie could be fired if 2014 was another subpar year for the team, and it looks like it's going to be that way after their horrid start.
Allen and McKenzie were confident the Raiders roster possessed a lot of talent, but the running game has been unable to get going with Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew in the backfield (246 rush yards for the entire team through four games). Additionally, the offense has only scored 48 points all season and the defense has managed only two turnovers.
We'll find out later today who will replace Allen for the remainder of the season. Potential candidates include offensive line coach Tony Sparano, offensive coordinator Greg Olson and senior offensive assistant Al Saunders, according to ESPN's Ed Werder.
UPDATE: Tony Sparano has been named interim head coach of the Oakland Raiders.
